diff --git a/redcap/methods/records.py b/redcap/methods/records.py
index 5dd6664..6d7ff19 100644
--- a/redcap/methods/records.py
+++ b/redcap/methods/records.py
@@ -258,6 +258,7 @@ def import_records(
         import_format: Literal["json", "csv", "xml", "df"] = "json",
         date_format: Literal["YMD", "DMY", "MDY"] = "YMD",
         force_auto_number: bool = False,
+        background_process: Optional[bool] = None,
     ):
         """
         Import data into the REDCap Project
@@ -295,6 +296,8 @@ def import_records(
                 of imported records by REDCap. If this is set to true, and auto-numbering
                 for records is enabled for the project, auto-numbering of imported records
                 will be enabled.
+            background_process:
+                Specifies whether to do the import as background process.
 
         Raises:
             RedcapError: Bad request made, double check field names and other inputs
@@ -317,6 +320,9 @@ def import_records(
         payload["returnContent"] = return_content
         payload["dateFormat"] = date_format
         payload["forceAutoNumber"] = force_auto_number
+        if background_process is not None:
+            # This option is not supported in old REDCap versions (< 14.something)
+            payload["backgroundProcess"] = int(background_process)
 
         return_type = self._lookup_return_type(
             format_type=return_format_type,
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_simple_project.py b/tests/unit/test_simple_project.py
index 64af1bf..78be40f 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_simple_project.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_simple_project.py
@@ -615,6 +615,68 @@ def test_df_import(simple_project):
     assert not "error" in response
 
 
+def test_import_records_background_process_true(simple_project, mocker):
+    """Test that background_process=True passes backgroundProcess=1 in payload"""
+    mocked_api_call = mocker.patch.object(
+        simple_project, "_call_api", return_value={"count": 1}
+    )
+
+    data = [{"record_id": "1", "test": "value"}]
+    simple_project.import_records(data, background_process=True)
+
+    args, _ = mocked_api_call.call_args
+    payload = args[0]
+
+    assert "backgroundProcess" in payload
+    assert payload["backgroundProcess"] == 1
+
+
+def test_import_records_background_process_false(simple_project, mocker):
+    """Test that background_process=False passes backgroundProcess=0 in payload"""
+    mocked_api_call = mocker.patch.object(
+        simple_project, "_call_api", return_value={"count": 1}
+    )
+
+    data = [{"record_id": "1", "test": "value"}]
+    simple_project.import_records(data, background_process=False)
+
+    args, _ = mocked_api_call.call_args
+    payload = args[0]
+
+    assert "backgroundProcess" in payload
+    assert payload["backgroundProcess"] == 0
+
+
+def test_import_records_background_process_none(simple_project, mocker):
+    """Test that background_process=None does not add backgroundProcess to payload"""
+    mocked_api_call = mocker.patch.object(
+        simple_project, "_call_api", return_value={"count": 1}
+    )
+
+    data = [{"record_id": "1", "test": "value"}]
+    simple_project.import_records(data, background_process=None)
+
+    args, _ = mocked_api_call.call_args
+    payload = args[0]
+
+    assert "backgroundProcess" not in payload
+
+
+def test_import_records_background_process_default(simple_project, mocker):
+    """Test that not specifying background_process does not add it to payload"""
+    mocked_api_call = mocker.patch.object(
+        simple_project, "_call_api", return_value={"count": 1}
+    )
+
+    data = [{"record_id": "1", "test": "value"}]
+    simple_project.import_records(data)
+
+    args, _ = mocked_api_call.call_args
+    payload = args[0]
+
+    assert "backgroundProcess" not in payload
+
+
 def test_reports_json_export(simple_project):
     report = simple_project.export_report(report_id="1")